Attempt to oust Brown fails to gain support

AN attempt to oust British Prime Minister Gordon Brown ran out of steam after two ex-Cabinet plotters failed to win support from ministers, but analysts said Brown’s authority had been shaken.

Brown called the challenge to his leadership “a storm in a teacup,” saying he had the full backing of his Cabinet.

Only months before an election, which the Labour Party is expected to lose, Wednesday’s plot could not have come at a worse time for Brown, especially as his poor opinion poll ratings had been showing signs of improvement.